Methods for Growing Living Organisms

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for growing living organisms having at least one growing unit adapted to receive at least one living organism, a source of fluid, a conduit operably connecting the source of fluid and the growing unit in fluid supplying relation, and at least one system for supplying the requirements by which the living organism can grow in the growing unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/986,404, filed Nov. 20, 2007, pending, which is incorporatedherein by this reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for growing livingorganisms and, more particularly, to such an apparatus which is operableto promote the growth of living organisms, such as plant life, and tomaintain such growth in a desired state of development, for apredetermined period of time, and/or with other operational parameters.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The growth of living organisms, including plant life, is essential tosustaining virtually all life forms. Plant life, for example, providessustenance for humans, animals and other living organisms. Plant life,in part, uses carbon dioxide from its environment and, throughphotosynthesis, produces oxygen necessary for creating an atmospheresufficient to permit all forms of life to be created and sustained.

In its natural form, plant life serves as food for animals, humans and awide variety of other creatures and organisms. In addition, of course,plant life can be used, processed, or otherwise modified to form amultiplicity of products. Furthermore, new varieties of plant life arecontinuously being created both spontaneously in nature as well as byhuman experimentation, plant breeding and the like. Such plant breedingand discovery result both in new forms of plant life which can beemployed in a multitude of uses as well as yielding new types ofcommodities produced thereby. Examples abound in the form of foodproducts such as fruits, nuts, vegetables and the like, and new types ofplant life employed for other uses such as in landscaping, construction,heating, medicine and virtually endless other uses.

Plant patents and other forms of protection are available in the UnitedStates and in other nations of the world under laws intended to promotethe creation, discovery, experimentation and development of new forms orvarieties of plant life.

Such creation, discovery, experimentation and development has led to theinvention of new methods and apparatuses to assist in the achievement ofthese objectives. For example, throughout an extensive history, varioushydroponic devices, systems and methods have been developed for theseand other purposes. Hydroponics is, by definition, the cultivation ofplant life in nutrient solution rather than in soil. The purposes forsuch technology include inexpensively and with a minimum of attentionand care to produce and maintain superior specimens of plant life.Concomitantly, there has been a desire to create hydroponic systemswhich can be employed for virtually all forms of plant life.

Other considerations include the creation of hydroponic systems ofvirtually any capacity, whether large or small; of systems which can beemployed using ambient light as well as, artificial light; which arereadily controlled to accommodate changing conditions, both as to theenvironment in which they are used as well as to the changingrequirements of the plant life as it is grown; and which achieve manyother long recognized but unrealized objectives. These objectives haveeluded achievement notwithstanding the development of various types ofhydroponic systems virtually from the beginning of recorded history.

Thus, while some progress has been attained with such efforts, thesuccess, particularly from a commercial standpoint, has been marginal.Without practical and dependable commercial application, truehydroponics has little value other than for limited scientificexperimentation as in the case of a plant breeding programs. Theproduction of seedlings for commercial planting is limited by therestricted capacity of conventional hydroponic systems. There is, thus,no prior art hydroponics system capable of providing a sufficient numberof seedlings and/or plants necessary for practical commercialapplication. In summary in this respect, the prior art is replete withhydroponic systems incapable, as a practical matter, of being expandedto produce commercially viable yields.

Therefore, it has long been recognized that it would be desirable tohave an apparatus for growing living organisms which is capable ofproducing commercially practical yields of superior quality plant lifeand other living organisms; which is operable to provide an optimumgrowing environment; which is operable to provide superior aeration ofthe fluid provided to the plant life or the like grown therein; which isoperable to provide optimum nutrients in a manner most suited to theparticular plant life to be grown; which permits modification thereof toaccommodate the changing requirements of the plant life throughout itsgrowth and maturation; which can readily be expanded to provideadditional capacity or reduced in size to accommodate a particulardesired capacity; which is adapted to provide improved operation in ahydroponic system; and which is otherwise entirely successful inachieving its operational objectives.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus for growing plant life and other living organisms.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is adapted for usein the growth and maturation of plant life and other living organisms ina manner not heretofore achieved in the art.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which has particularutility in the growth of plant life wherein the resulting plant life isof a character superior to that which has heretofore been possible.

Another object is to provide improved aeration of the solution suppliedto the plant life grown therein as well as providing a symmetrical andunobstructed solution flow.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is operable toenable the supply of nutrients and other essential substances andconditions for plant life in a more precise and dependable manner thanhas heretofore been possible.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which possesses thecapability of consistent or intermittent introduction of the optimumoxygen to the mineral nutrient ratio.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which permits theindividually controlled adjustment of the nutrients and other essentialsto growing plant life as the needs of the plant life may vary during thegrowth and maturation thereof and under any variations in the conditionsto which they are subjected.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which employs superiorhydroponics capabilities in the administration of the supply of water,dissolved oxygen, nutrients, light and other substances and conditionsrequired by the plant life during the growth thereof.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which possesses thecapability of being expanded or, alternatively, reduced in size andcapacity so as to be operable to provide the precise capacity and levelof production desired.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is fully capable ofproviding a complete commercial operation in an entirely practicalmanner.

Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isdependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferredembodiment of the present invention, in an apparatus for growing livingorganisms having at least one growing unit adapted to receive at leastone living organism, a source of fluid, a conduit operablyinterconnecting the source of fluid and the growing unit in fluidsupplying relation, and at least one system for supplying therequirement by which the living organism can grow in the growing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for growing livingorganisms of the present invention showing representative livingorganisms, in this case plant life, being grown therein.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus taken from the left, asviewed in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the apparatus taken from the right, asviewed in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal, horizontal section taken on line 5-5 in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal, horizontal section of the apparatus showingthe structure thereof in relation to the pathways of fluid movementtherethrough.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper supply tank of the apparatusof the present invention viewed principally from the left side thereof,as viewed in FIG. 3, with the lid disposed in an open attitude.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper supply tank of the apparatus,as viewed principally from the right side thereof, as viewed in FIG. 3,with the lid thereof disposed in an open attitude.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper supply tank, as viewedprincipally from the top thereof, as viewed in FIG. 4, and with the lidthereof disposed in an open attitude so as to show the interior of theupper supply tank.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of thelower supply tank of the present invention viewed principally from theleft side thereof, as viewed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the lower supply tankviewed principally from the right side thereof, as viewed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary. perspective view of the lower supply tankviewed principally from the left side thereof, as viewed in FIG. 4, andwith a portion of the lid thereof removed to show the interior of thelower supply tank.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the lower supply tank, asviewed principally from the top, as shown in FIG. 4, and with a portionof the lid removed to show the interior of the lower supply tank.

FIG. 14 is a somewhat further enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal,vertical section taken on line 14-14 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one of the growing unitsof the apparatus of the present invention, as viewed principally fromthe left in FIG. 4, showing a representative plant growing therein.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the growing unit of FIG.15 shown principally from the opposite side thereof viewed in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary, perspective, exploded viewof one growing unit shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a somewhat further enlarged, fragmentary, transverse verticalsection taken on line 18-18 in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, perspective, exploded view of a growing unitof a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus for growingliving organisms of the present invention is generally indicated by thenumeral 10 in FIG. 1. The apparatus can generally be viewed as having agrowing assembly 20 and a lighting assembly 30.

Referring first to the growing assembly 20, it can generally be viewedas having a supply system 40 shown on the right, as viewed in FIG. 2,and a plurality of growing housings or units 50. As shown in thedrawings, there are twelve (12) such growing units. More specifically,this is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. As will hereinafter be describedin greater detail, the growing assembly 20 of the apparatus 10 can havea greater or lesser number of growing units. The specific number ofgrowing units selected for use in the growing assembly 20 isdiscretionary and dependent upon the type of living organisms to begrown, the desired production capacity of the apparatus 10, thepreferences as to operation of the apparatus and a variety of otherconsiderations. In the illustrative embodiment shown and describedherein, the living organisms are living plants and will hereinafter bereferred to as such.

The supply system 40 has a main supply housing 60 having a lower supplytank 61 and an upper supply tank 62. The lower supply tank and uppersupply tank are hereinafter referred to, for illustrative convenience,respectively as the lower tank 61 and the upper tank 62. The upper tankis preferably rested on the lower tank as shown, for example, in FIGS.1, 2 and 4. The lower tank and upper tank are preferably, although notnecessarily, constructed of a rigid plastic, or similar material, whichis sufficiently strong to support the structure of the apparatus and toperform the functions hereinafter described, while being of lightweight.

The lower tank 61 is best shown in FIGS. 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Thelower tank has a floor 70 on which are mounted four (4) upstanding sidewalls 71 to form a box like configuration. The floor and upstanding sidewalls are mounted in fluid tight relation to each other define, orbound, an interior 72 of the lower tank. The side walls have asubstantially rectangular upper lip 73 bounding an upper opening 74. Alid assembly 75 is removably mounted on the upper lip 73 by being pressfitted thereon within a downwardly facing groove 76 extending about theperiphery of the lid assembly. The lid assembly is composed of a firstsection 77 and a smaller second section 78. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,the first section 77 has been removed therefrom, leaving the secondsection 78 in place. For illustrative convenience, the interior 72 isthereby exposed. The interior of the lower tank is perhaps best shown inFIG. 14 in a somewhat enlarged, longitudinal vertical section. The floor70 has a pair of parallel raised portions or supports 79 extending inacross the floor within the interior 72 of the lower tank. The internaloperative portions of the apparatus shown in the interior of the lowertank will subsequently be discussed.

The upper tank 62, as heretofore noted, is mounted, or rested, on thelower tank 61, as shown in FIG. 2. The upper tank has a floor 90 boundedby four (4) upstanding side walls extending about the periphery of thefloor to form a box like configuration. The floor and upstanding sidewalls are joined in fluid tight relation to each other to define, orbound, an interior 92 of the upper tank. The side walls of the uppertank have a substantially rectangular upper lip 93 bounding an upperopening 94. A lid assembly 95 is removably mounted on the upper lip 93by being press fitted thereon within a groove 96 extending about theperiphery of the lid assembly. The lid assembly is composed of a firstsection 97 and a smaller second section 98. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and9, the first section has been pivoted upwardly relative to the secondsection and while leaving the second section 98 in place. Forillustrative convenience the interior 92 of the upper tank 62 is therebyexposed. The floor 90 of the upper tank has a pair of parallel raisedportions or supports 99 extending across the floor within the interior92 of the upper tank. The internal and external operative components ofthe apparatus will subsequently be discussed.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention, as noted, has a plurality ofgrowing units 50, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Thespecific number of growing units employed in the apparatus can beselected based upon the size of the operation, the yield desired, thepreferences of the operator and many other considerations. Forillustrative convenience, in the preferred embodiment shown herein,there are twelve (12) growing units arranged in two rows. The growingunits of the two rows are disposed in pairs spaced from each other inside-by-side relation. As shown and described herein, each growing unitin the preferred embodiment has a single plant growing therein. However,if desired, a plurality of plants can be grown in each growing unit.Alternatively, the growing units of the second embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 19 can be employed, as will hereinafter bedescribed in greater detail.

Each growing unit 50 has a floor 110 having four (4) side walls 111extending upwardly therefrom the form a box like configuration. Thefloor and upstanding side walls are mounted in fluid tight relation toeach other to define, or bound, an interior 112 of the growing unit. Theside walls have a substantially rectangular upper lip 113 bounding anupper opening 114. A lid assembly 115 is removably mounted on the upperlip by being press fitted thereon within a downwardly facing groove 116extending about the periphery of the lid assembly. The lid assembly iscomposed of a first section 117 and a smaller second section 118. Thefloor 110 has a pair of parallel raised portions or supports 119extending across the floor within the interior 112 of the growing unit50. The first section of the lid assembly has a hole 120 of apredetermined diameter extending therethrough into communication withthe interior 112, as shown in FIG. 17.

The supply system 40 of the apparatus 10 has a first air pump 130mounted externally of the lower tank 61 and upper tank 62, as best shownin FIG. 5. The first air pump is operably connected to the lower tank bytwo (2) by first air supply lines 131 which extend from the first airpump, through one of the side walls 71 of the lower tank and into theinterior 72 thereof, as best shown in FIG. 14. Two (2) second air supplylines 132 extend from the first air pump, to the upper tank 62 andthrough the second section 98 of the lid assembly 95 into the interior92 through the lid assembly 95 into the interior 92 of the upper tank.Each of the first air supply lines and second air supply lines has afluid seal 133 extending thereabout at the point of extension throughthe side wall 71 of the lower tank 61 and upper tank 62. The fluid sealsoperate to prevent leakage about the first air supply lines and secondair supply lines. The first air supply lines extend to interior endportions 134 in the interior of the lower tank 61. The second air supplylines extend to interior end portions 135 in the interior of the uppertank 62.

The supply system 40 has a second air pump 140 mounted between the tworows of growing units 50 on the right, as viewed in FIG. 5. A growingunit air supply line 141 extends from the second air pump to each of thefirst six (6) growing units 50 on the right as viewed in FIG. 5; thatis, to the three (3) growing units on one side of the second air pumpand to the three (3) growing units on the opposite side of the secondair pump. Each of these six (6) growing units has a fluid seal 143through which its respective growing unit air supply line extends intothe interior 112 of that growing unit. Each of the growing unit airsupply lines extends to an interior end portion 144 within itsrespective growing unit, as shown in FIG. 18.

The supply system 40 has a third air pump 150 mounted between the tworows of growing units 50 on the left, as viewed in FIG. 5. A growingunit air supply line 151 extends from the third air pump to each of thesecond six (6) growing units 50 on the left, as viewed in FIG. 5; thatis, to the three (3) growing units on one side of the third air pump andto the three (3) growing units on the opposite side of the third airpump. Each of these six (6) growing units has a fluid seal 153 throughwhich its respective growing unit air supply line extends to an interiorend portion 154 within its respective growing unit, as shown in FIG. 18.

Two aeration members 170 are individually mounted on the interior endportions 135 of the second air supply lines 132 within the interior 92of the upper tank 62. The aeration members are mounted on the supports99 and extend in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each otherwithin the interior of the upper tank, as shown in FIG. 9.

Two aeration members 170 are individually mounted on the interior endportions 134 of the first air supply lines 131 within the interior 72 ofthe lower tank 61. The aeration members are mounted on the supports 79and extend in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each otherwithin the interior of the lower tank, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

One aeration member 170 is mounted on the interior end portions 144 and154 of the growing unit air supply lines 141 and 151 within the interior112 of each growing unit 50. The aeration member of each growing unit ismounted on the supports 119 extending transversely thereof, as shown inFIG. 18.

Each of the aeration members 170 has a proximal end portion 171 which isconnected in air receiving relation to the interior end portions 135,134 and 144 of their respective second air supply lines 132, first airsupply lines 131 and growing unit air supply lines 141 and 151respectively. Each of the aeration members extends to a distal endportion 172 and has an outer surface 173 which, in cross section, formsa trucated pyramidal configuration. The aeration members can beconstructed of any suitable material, but preferably are constructed ofa lightweight, porous stone such as lava rock. Each aeration member hasa passage running substantially the length thereof and sealed at thedistal end portion 172 thereof so that air is pressurized therewithinand is forced through the outer surface 173 and thus from the aerationmember, as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

The upper tank 62 is best shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The lower tank 61is best shown in FIG. 14. A discharge conduit 180 extends from aproximal end portion 181 within the interior 92 of the upper tank 62,and in fluid communication therewith, to a distal end portion 182 influid communication with the interior 72 of the lower tank 61. Theproximal end portion and the distal end portion of the discharge conduithave fluid seals 183 individually extending thereabout where they extendthrough the side wall 91 of the upper tank and the side wall 71 of thelower tank 61.

A float valve 190 is mounted on the distal end portion 182 of thedischarge conduit 180 within the interior 72 of the lower tank 61. Thefloat valve has a valve assembly 191 which is operated by a valve arm192 mounting a float 193 thereon near the end of the valve arm and nearthe center of the interior 72 of the lower tank 61. The float and valvearm operate the float valve to close, or shut off, the valve assemblywhen raised relative thereto and to open the valve assembly to fluidflow therethrough when pivoted downwardly from the closed position shownin FIG. 14. The valve assembly can, for purposes hereinafter described,be temporarily locked in as closed or opened position.

The supply system 40 has a fluid circulation system generally indicatedby the numeral 200 in FIG. 5. The fluid circulation system has a leftmain conduit 201 which is mounted in fluid tight, fluid receivingrelation on the side wall 71 of the lower tank 61 on the left, as viewedin FIG. 4. The left main conduit is disposed in fluid receiving relationto the interior 72 of the lower tank. A right main conduit 202 ismounted in fluid tight, fluid receiving relation on the side wall of thelower tank 61 on the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. The right main conduitis disposed in fluid receiving relation to the interior 72 of the lowertank. The left main conduit includes a plurality of left main conduitsections 203 which individually interconnect the lower tank with thenearest growing unit 50 and individually in series with successivegrowing units in order. The right main conduit includes a plurality ofright main conduit sections 204 which individually interconnect thelower tank with the nearest growing unit 50 and individually in serieswith successive growing units as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

As shown on the left, as viewed in FIG. 6, a return conduit assembly 205interconnects the last left main conduit section 203 and the last rightmain conduit section 204 in fluid tight, fluid transferring relation.The return conduit assembly has a central connection 206 mounting a mainshut off valve 207. The return conduit assembly has fluid pump 215 whichis operably connected to the main shut off valve 207 by a linkingconduit 216. A return conduit 217 has a proximal end 218 and an oppositedistal end 219. The proximal end of the return conduit is connected influid receiving relation to the fluid pump 215. The distal end of thereturn conduit is disposed in juxtaposition to the lower tank 61.

A fluid dispersal assembly 220 is mounted on the distal end 219 of thereturn conduit 217 and extends through the adjacent side wall 71 of thelower tank 61, as best shown in FIG. 14. The fluid dispersal assemblyhas an elbow conduit 221 which directly extends through the side wall 71in fluid tight relation by virtue of a seal 222 extending thereabout. Afluid discharge housing 223 is mounted on the elbow conduit 221 withinthe interior 72 of the lower tank 61. The fluid discharge housing isoperable to discharge fluid received from the elbow conduit in a splayedpattern in the interior 72 of the lower tank, as shown in FIG. 6.

The apparatus 10 has a nutrient distribution system generally indicatedby the numeral 230 in FIG. 14. The nutrient distribution system has afluid pump 231 mounted on the floor 70 in the interior 72 of the lowertank 61. The fluid pump 231 is operable to receive fluid in the interior72 and pump the fluid through a main nutrient conduit 232 having aproximal end 233 mounted in fluid receiving relation on the fluid pump231. The main nutrient conduit 232 has a distal end 234. The proximalend of the main nutrient conduit extends through the side wall 71 of thelower housing in fluid tight relation by virtue of a seal 235 extendingthereabout. A fluid valve 236 is operably mounted on the distal end 234of the main nutrient conduit. The fluid valve 236 is normally disposedin a closed position to seal the distal end 234. When desired, however,the fluid valve can be placed in an open position to drain the mainnutrient conduit and thereby the entire apparatus 10, as willhereinafter be described.

Each of the growing units 50 has a plant housing, or basket, 250 mountedin the hole 120 of the first section 117 of the lid assembly 115. Theplant basket has a bottom panel 251 having a downwardly tapered sidewall 252, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The plant basket has an outwardlyextending circular upper lip 253. The plant basket of each growing unitis received and mounted in the hole 120 by the upper lip of each growingunit resting on the first section 117 of the lid assembly 115. Thetapered side wall and bottom panel have a multiplicity of passages oropenings 254 extending therethrough. The tapered side wall and bottompanel 251 bound and thereby define an interior 255 of the plant basket.The interior of the plant basket contains and is substantially filledwith a growing medium 256. In the preferred embodiment, the growingmedium is a non-soil material, such as vermiculite, or expanded claypellets, which absorbs fluids, such as water, nutrients, air, and thelike. However, if desired, the growing medium can be soil, a soil andnon-soil mixture, or the like.

A representative seedling or plant 257 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,15, 16, 17, and 18 growing in the growing medium 256 of each growingunit 50. It will be understood that any type of plant life or otherliving organisms can be grown in each growing unit. It will similarly beunderstood that the plant can be grown from seed planted in each growingunit.

The nutrient distribution system 230 includes a plurality of supplyconduits 270 each having a proximal end 271 and a distal end 272. Theproximal end 271 of each supply conduit is connected in fluid receivingrelation to the main nutrient conduit 232. The distal end of each supplyconduit is connected in fluid supplying relation to a nutrient releasemember 273 which is made of a porous material.

The nutrient release member 273 has a proximal end 274 and a distal end275. Each nutrient release member is received in the growing medium 256of its respective growing unit 50 in a substantially vertical attitudewith the distal end thereof adjacent to the bottom panel 251 of itsrespective plant basket and in adjacent spaced relation to itsrespective plant 257, as best shown in FIG. 18.

The lighting assembly 30 of the apparatus 10 of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The lighting assembly is suspended aboveand in spaced relation to the growing assembly 20. The lighting assemblyis aligned with the growing assembly 20. The lighting assembly issuspended by any suitable means, not shown, in this position. Thelighting assembly has a main housing 276 having two (2) spaced,downwardly projecting light fixtures 277. The light fixtures areoperable downwardly to project ultraviolet light on the plants 257within the growing units 50. Other types, or combinations, of light canbe projected from the light fixtures as desired.

The main housing 276 has an air duct 278 interconnecting the lightfixtures 277 and extending upwardly to a pair of air vent assemblies 279operable to release heat developed by the light fixtures duringoperation. The air vent assemblies can have fans, not shown, thereinoperable to assist in drawing heated air upwardly toward and through theair vent assemblies for upward release of the heated air.

For purposes of describing operation of the apparatus 10, it will beunderstood that the upper tank 62 is filled to a pre-selected leveltherein with a nutrient fluid, not shown. The lower tank 61 is filled,as will be described, with a nutrient fluid 280 to an upper surface orlevel 281. Similarly, the interior 112 of each growing unit 50 isfilled, as will be described, with nutrient fluid 282 to a pre-selectedupper surface or level 283. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, duringoperation each aeration member 170 releases air bubbles 284 into thenutrient fluid within the upper tank 62, lower tank 61 and each growingunit 50.

A second embodiment of the apparatus 10 of the present invention isgenerally indicated by the numeral 300 in FIG. 19. In the secondembodiment, only the growing units are different from those of the firstembodiment. The growing units of the second embodiment of the apparatus10 are generally indicated by the numeral 350. Except as hereinafterdiscussed, the same reference numerals are used with respect to thegrowing unit 350 as in the case of the growing units 50 of the firstembodiment of the invention heretofore set forth. Thus, the onlydifference between the growing units 350 and the growing units 50 arethat the growing units 350 have four (4) holes 120 individually adaptedto receive four (4) plant baskets 250. In addition, each plant basket ofthe growing units 350 individually have supply conduits 270 withnutrient release members 273. Still further, each plant basket of eachgrowing unit 350 has a plant 257 individually growing therein. In allother respects, the second embodiment 300 of the present invention isthe same as the first embodiment heretofore set forth.

Operation

The operation of the described embodiments of the subject invention arebelieved to be clearly apparent and are briefly summarized at thispoint.

Reference is first made to the upper tank 62, best shown in FIGS. 7, 8and 9. A specific fluid is described herein purely for illustrativeconvenience. It will be understood that any desired fluid can beemployed depending, in part, on the specific type of living organism tobe grown in the growing units 50. With the first section 97 of the lidassembly 95 disposed in a raised attitude, a fluid, containing thenutrients desired for the stage of development of the plants 257, isplaced, or formed, in the interior 92 of the upper tank 62. This fluidwould, for example, consist of water containing an admixture ofnutrients in the quantities desired, such as, for example, molasses,marine bird guano, phosphoric acid, bat guano, calcium nitrate,potassium sulfate and kelp meal. This nutrient fluid can be one alreadyformulated by a commercial supplier, mixed externally of the upper tank,can be mixed, in whole or in part, within the interior of the uppertank, or can be supplied from any other source.

In any case, before filling of the interior 92 of the upper tank 62 withthis resulting nutrient fluid, the valve assembly 191 of the float valve190 is placed in a closed position. This permits the desired amount ofnutrient fluid to be placed in and/or mixed within the upper tankwithout draining therefrom through the discharge conduit 180 into theinterior 72 of the lower tank 61.

During filling of the interior 92 of the upper tank 62 with the nutrientfluid, the first air pump 130 is operated to supply air from theadjacent environment through the second air supply lines 132 to the two(2) aeration members 170 within the upper tank, as best shown in FIG. 9.The air, under pressure, is forced out of the aeration members andintroduced to the nutrient fluid in the form of air bubbles 284. The airbubbles buoyantly pass upwardly in the nutrient fluid within the uppertank thereby aerating the nutrient fluid. This process is continuedduring the presence of nutrient fluid within the upper tank. The firstsection 97 of the lid assembly 95 can then be closed to prevent thenutrient fluid from inadvertently being contaminated. However, nutrientfluid is continuously added to the interior of the upper tank as theapparatus 10 is operated as necessary to maintain the desired volume ofnutrient fluid within the upper tank as it is consumed.

The valve assembly 191 of the float valve 190 is then placed in anopened condition so that the float 193 is free to float and valve arm192 thus operates the valve assembly in a normal manner. Since, at thistime, the interior 72 of the lower tank 61 is empty, the float isgravitationally retained in a lowered position thus maintaining thevalve assembly 191 in an opened condition. The opening of the valveassembly causes nutrient fluid 280 gravitationally to flow from theupper tank 62 into the interior 72 of the lower tank 61 through thedischarge conduit 180 and the float valve 190. This can best bevisualized upon reference to FIG. 14. The interior of the lower tank isfilled with the nutrient fluid to a predetermined upper level 281thereby causing the float 193 and valve arm 192 to move upwardly tooperate the valve assembly 191 so that it is placed in the closedposition. The float valve thus maintains the predetermined upper level281 within the lower tank 61, as shown in FIG. 14. The main shut offvalve 207 is placed in an opened condition.

At this time, the lower tank 61 is filled with nutrient fluid 280 to thepredetermined upper level 281 and is maintained in this condition byoperation of the float valve 190. The first air pump 130 pumps ambientair from externally thereof through the first air supply lines 131 intothe two (2) aeration members 170. This releases air bubbles 284 from theaeration members to pass upwardly through the nutrient fluid 282therewithin continuously to aerate the nutrient fluid and supplydiffused oxygen into the nutrient fluid.

Nutrient fluid 280 passes, by way of gravity flow, from the interior 72of the lower tank 61, through the fluid circulation system 200 along theleft main conduit 201 and the right main conduit 202. As shown best inFIG. 6, the nutrient fluid is thereby passed through the six (6) pairsof growing units 50 to maintain a volume of nutrient fluid 282 withineach growing unit reaching the upper level 283 thereof, as shown in FIG.18.

Ambient air is pumped through the growing unit 50 air supply lines 141and 151 by the second air pump 140 and the third air pump 150. The airis thus pumped into the aeration members 170 from which air bubbles 284are released into the nutrient fluid 282 so as buoyantly to rise throughand supplying diffused oxygen thereto. Since nutrient fluid continues topass along the left and right main conduits 201 and 202, respectively,through the growing units, a degree of fluid circulation is establishedin the nutrient fluid within each growing unit. This continues to mixthe ingredients within the nutrient fluid as well as to distribute theair bubbles within the nutrient fluid. This, once again, causescontinued aeration of the nutrient fluid.

As can be seen in FIG. 18, the upper level 283 of the nutrient fluid 282within each growing unit 50 is just immediately beneath the bottom panel251 of that growing unit's respective plant basket 250. The fluidcirculation causes periodic contact of the nutrient fluid with thebottom panel and the growing medium 256 therewith which, as in the caseof vermiculite, or expanded clay pellets, absorbs and retains theaerated nutrient fluid for absorption as needed by the plant 257.Additionally, such aeration and fluid circulation releases vapor of thenutrient fluid above the upper level 283 within the growing unit forabsorption for the same purpose by the growing medium.

Still further, the supply conduits 270 of the nutrient distributionsystem 230, under the impetus of the fluid pump 231, supply nutrientfluid 282 to the individual nutrient release members 273 within thegrowing medium 256 of each growing unit 50. As can best be seen uponreference to FIG. 18, each nutrient release member is verticallyoriented within the growing medium of its respective plant basket 250adjacent to the plant 257 thereof. Thus, nutrient fluid is absorbed bythe growing medium for consumption by the plant 257 thereof. Any of thenutrient fluid not absorbed by the growing medium is released throughthe openings 254 to drain from the plant basket into the nutrient fluidwithin the growing unit.

As can be visualized upon reference to FIG. 6, the nutrient fluid 282passing along the left main conduit 201 and right main conduit 202reaches and passes into the return conduit assembly 205. From the returnconduit assembly, the nutrient fluid passes, in sequence, through themain shut off valve 207; the linking conduit 216; the fluid pump 215;the return conduit 217; the fluid discharge housing 223; and, in a spraypattern, back into the interior 72 of the lower tank 61. The lower tankthus pulls, in effect, the nutrient fluid back into the lower tank. Thespray pattern disperses the nutrient fluid about the interior of thelower tank and assists again in mixing the ingredients comprising thenutrient fluid within the lower tank.

The nutrient distribution system 230 supplies the nutrient fluid 282 tothe respective nutrient release members 273 of the individual growingunits 50. This is achieved through the nutrient distribution system bymeans of the fluid pump 231 of the lower tank 61 adjacent to the floor70 thereof into the main nutrient conduit 232. This can best bevisualized upon reference to FIG. 14.

Nutrient fluid 282, under pressure from the fluid pump 231, is passedthrough and along the main nutrient conduit 232 from right to left, asviewed in FIG. 5. At this time, of course, the fluid valve 236 is in aclosed condition. The nutrient fluid, under fluid pressure, is passedthrough the individual supply conduits 270 and into their respectivenutrient release members 273 of the individual growing units 50. Thenutrient fluid is emitted by each nutrient release member into thegrowing medium 256 which absorbs the nutrient fluid for retention untiltaken in by the plant 257 as it grows. Any surplus nutrient fluid leaksfrom the growing medium, through the openings 254 in each plant basket250 and drains into the nutrient fluid 282 within each growing unit. Thesurplus nutrient fluid within the growing units continues to becirculated through the fluid circulation system 200, as previouslydiscussed.

The light fixtures 277 of the main housing 276 of the lighting assembly30 are operated to provide ultraviolet light for the plants 257therebelow within the growing units 50. This permits photosynthesis totake place within the plants as necessary for plant growth. The air duct278 and air vent assemblies 279 draw off heat produced by the lightfixtures so as to avoid damage to the plants and otherwise to provide anoptimum growing environment.

When the main shut off valve 207 is closed, the nutrient fluid 282 isthus prevented from entering the return conduit 217 and passing backthrough the return conduit to the interior 72 of the lower tank 61.Return to the interior of the lower tank can only be through the leftmain conduit 201 and the right main conduit 202 reversing the normaldirection of movement therethrough. Opening of the fluid valve 236 andcontinued operation of the fluid pump 231 causes the entire apparatus 10to be emptied of nutrient fluid through the lower tank 61, main nutrientconduit 232 and the fluid valve 236. This may be done for purposes ofcleaning the apparatus, mixing and using a different fluid, or for anyother desired purpose.

It will be understood that all components of the apparatus 10 requiringelectrical power for operation are supplied therewith, as necessary,through suitable electrical and control systems, not shown.

The second embodiment 300 of the apparatus 10, shown in FIG. 19,operates in the same manner heretofore described. The only substantialdifference is that the growing unit 350 of the second embodiment eachhas four (4) plant baskets 250 individually provided with the supportingsystems heretofore described.

In both the first embodiment 10 and the second embodiment 300, the plantbaskets 250 are not fastened to their respective growing units 50 and350. The plant baskets are simply held in position by gravity with theirindividual upper lips 253 rested on the first section 117 of the lidassembly 115 of its respective growing unit. Consequently, each plantbasket can be lifted from its respective growing unit, the growing unitair supply line 141 and supply conduit 270 removed therefrom, the plantthereof removed after completion of their productive lives, or any otherintended usage. There are no other removal requirements. Similarly, withor without replacement of the growing medium 256, a new seed or seedlingor other living organism can be planted in the growing medium within theplant basket; the plant basket reinserted, as descried, in itsrespective growing unit; and the growing unit air supply line and supplyconduit reattached. The apparatus requires no other installation steps.

Significantly, in the apparatus 10 of the present invention is distinctfrom the prior art in numerous important respects. This includes, butnot limited to, the fact that the nutrient fluid is continuouslycirculated during operation and thus is not stagnant; that the nutrientfluid level can be raised or lowered as desired; and that there iscontinuous aeration of the nutrient fluid.

Still further, the employment of an in-line fluid pump producesperipheral negative pressure which moves the nutrient solution, orfluid, to a central control module, that being the lower supply tank 61.This achieves rapid surface aeration. Supplemental dissolved oxygen isindividually supplied to each of the growing units 50 by way of theaeration members 170. Thus, a perpetual nutrient cycling system isestablished for the growing units 50 which, in addition, deliversreplenished dissolved oxygen to each of the growing units duringoperation of the circulatory in-line fluid pump. The underlying manifoldinterconnects the growing units to enable nutrient solution to besupplied symmetrically beneath the plant roots of the growing units.

Therefore, the apparatus for growing living of the present invention iscapable of producing commercially practical yields of superior qualityplant life and other living organisms; is operable to provide an optimumgrowing environment; is operable to provide superior aeration of thefluid provided to the plant life or the like grown therein; is operableto provide optimum nutrients in a manner most suited to the particularplant life to be grown; permits modification thereof to accommodate thechanging requirements of the plant life throughout its growth andmaturation; can readily be expanded to provide additional capacity orreduced in size to accommodate a particular desired capacity; is adaptedto provide improved operation in a hydroponic system; and is otherwiseentirely successful in achieving its operational objectives.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention which is not to be limited to the illustrative detailsdisclosed.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A method of inducing continuous flow in ahydroponic system comprising: (a) the step of withdrawing fluid fromoutlet conduits leading from lower portions of a plurality of growingunits each adapted to receive at least one living organism and eachhaving a horizontal lower surface located on a horizontal plane, saidwithdrawal causing a lowering of levels of said fluid in said pluralityof growing units, wherein second conduits are provided between the lowerportions of said plurality of growing units and a lower portion of afluid source having a horizontal lower surface on the horizontal planesuch that the lowering of the fluid levels in said plurality of growingunits causes fluid to be continuously drawn by gravity flow through saidsecond conduits from said fluid source to replace the fluid withdrawnfrom said plurality of growing units; (b) the step of returning saidfluid withdrawn from said plurality of growing units to the fluid sourceto facilitate said continuous flow; and (c) the step of substantiallymaintaining a level of the fluid in the fluid source and the levels ofthe fluid in the plurality of growing units on a second horizontalplane.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein returning the fluid withdrawnfrom the plurality of growing units comprises collecting the withdrawnfluid from said outlet conduits in a fluid return system.
 17. The methodof claim 16 wherein said plurality of growing units are arranged in oneor more rows, each row being serially connected by said outlet conduitsallowing continuous flow of said fluid between the growing units in therow, and said fluid return system comprises a return manifold havingcollection lines attached to a last growing unit at an end of each ofsaid one or more rows.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein returning thefluid withdrawn from the outlet conduits to the fluid source comprisespumping the withdrawn fluid through a return conduit.
 19. The method ofclaim 15 further comprising pumping air into the fluid in the pluralityof growing units and the fluid source.
 20. The method of claim 15further comprising supplying the fluid through a plurality of thirdconduits into a growth medium in each of the plurality of growing units.21. The method of claim 15 further comprising supplying the fluid to thefluid source from an upper fluid tank by gravity flow.
 22. The method ofclaim 21 further comprising controlling a flow of the fluid from theupper fluid tank to the fluid source with a float valve assembly. 23.The method of claim 22 wherein the float valve assembly controls thelevels of said fluid in said plurality of growing units and a level ofsaid fluid in said fluid source.
 24. The method of claim 15 wherein thecontinuous gravity flow through said second conduits from said fluidsource to the plurality of growing units continuously circulates thefluid in said plurality of growing units.
 25. The method of claim 15further comprising maintaining the levels of the fluid in the pluralityof growing units immediately below a growth medium, wherein thecontinuous gravity flow through said second conduits from said fluidsource to the plurality of growing units continuously circulates thefluid and the circulation of the fluid causes intermittent contactbetween the fluid and the growth medium.
 26. A method of deliveringnutrients to living organisms in a growth apparatus, comprising:supplying a fluid by continuous gravity flow from a source tank having afloor in a horizontal plane to a plurality of growth units each having afloor in the horizontal plane, each growth unit containing one or moreliving organisms; continuously draining the fluid from the plurality ofgrowth units through outlets in each of the plurality of growth units;collecting the drained fluid in a fluid return system in fluidconnection with the outlets in each of the plurality of growth units andreturning the drained fluid to the source tank; and maintaining thefluid in the plurality of growth units and the source tank atsubstantially the same level.
 27. The method of claim 26 furthercomprising pumping the fluid from the source tank through a plurality ofconduits into a growth medium in each of the plurality of growth units,the growth medium containing the one or more living organisms.
 28. Themethod of claim 26 wherein the level of the fluid in each of theplurality of growth units is maintained immediately below a growthmedium in each of the plurality of growth units, the growth mediumcontaining the one or more living organisms.
 29. The method of claim 28wherein said continuous gravity flow circulates said fluid in each ofsaid plurality of growth units and results in intermittent contactbetween the fluid and the growth medium in each of the plurality ofgrowth units.
 30. The method of claim 28 wherein said fluid comprisesnutrients supporting the growth of said living organisms and saidcontinuous gravity flow of the fluid results in distribution of thenutrients in the fluid.
 31. The method of claim 26 further comprisingaerating the fluid in the plurality of growing units and the sourcetank.
 32. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid in the plurality ofgrowth units and the source tank is maintained at substantially the samelevel by a valve assembly in the source tank.
 33. A method of deliveringnutrients to living organisms in a growth apparatus, comprising:supplying a fluid by gravity flow from a source tank to a plurality ofgrowth units connected to the source tank in series by a first fluidconduit system, wherein the floor of the source tank and the floor ofeach of the plurality of growth units rest on a same horizontal planeand each growth unit contains one or more living organisms; draining thefluid from the plurality of growth units through an outlet at a distalend of the plurality of growth units; returning the drained fluid to thesource tank; and maintaining the fluid in the plurality of growth unitsand the source the tank at substantially the same level.
 34. The methodof claim 33 wherein the level of the fluid is maintained immediatelybelow a growth medium in each of the plurality of growth units, thegrowth medium containing the one or more living organisms.
 35. Themethod of claim 33 further comprising pumping the fluid from the sourcetank through a second conduit system into a growth medium in each of theplurality of growth units, the growth medium containing the one or moreliving organisms.
 36. The method of claim 33 wherein said gravity flowto said plurality of growing units is continuous and circulates saidfluid in said plurality of growing units.
 37. The method of claim 34,wherein said gravity flow to said plurality of growth units iscontinuous, and said continuous flow circulates said fluid in saidplurality of growth units and results in intermittent contact betweenthe fluid and said growth medium.
 38. The method of claim 33 wherein thefluid in the plurality of growth units and the source tank is maintainedat substantially the same level by a valve assembly in the source tank.39. A process for providing a continuous flow of fluid in a hydroponicsystem comprising steps of: (a) withdrawing fluid from an outlet conduitof a growing unit at an end of a row of a plurality of growing units,each of the units in said row having conduits connecting such unit toadjacent units in the row, each such conduit being in communication witha lower portion of each growing unit, and each of said units having ahorizontal lower surface located on a horizontal plane, such that thewithdrawal of said fluid lowers the fluid level in said end growing unitcausing fluid to be continuously drawn by gravity flow through saidconduits, other growing units and from a fluid source to replace thewithdrawn fluid; (b) returning said fluid withdrawn from said endgrowing unit to the fluid source to facilitate said continuous flow; and(c) maintaining a level of the fluid in the fluid source and the levelsof the fluid in the plurality of growing units on a second horizontalplane.